- To betray someone, especially a colleague, friend, or ally, by blaming them, sacrificing them, or exposing their faults to save oneself from trouble, criticism, or negative consequences.
- It implies a selfish, unfair, and often sudden act of disloyalty for personal gain or self-preservation.
Explanation
Origin
- A relatively modern idiom, gaining popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
- The exact origin is murky, with theories pointing to political jargon, sports commentary, or possibly (though debated) British slang related to bus conductors.
- Regardless of the precise source, the image is powerful: pushing someone unexpectedly into the path of an oncoming bus – a sudden, shocking act of betrayal causing harm to the victim while the pusher escapes.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Did someone dirty (Treated someone unfairly or treacherously)
- Snaked someone (Acted deceitfully or treacherously, like a snake)
- Screwed someone over (Vulgar; treated someone unfairly for selfish advantage)
- Hung someone out to dry (Exposed someone to blame or criticism without support)
More Formal:
- Unfairly assign blame
- Betray trust for self-preservation
- Deflect responsibility onto others
- Act disloyally/treacherously
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fucked someone over
- Shafted someone (Treated someone very unfairly)
Situational Appropriateness
- Common in informal and semi-formal discussions about workplace dynamics, politics, interpersonal conflicts, or public scandals.
- It's a highly charged, negative phrase implying strong moral judgment. Use with awareness of its impact. In formal settings, more neutral terms like unfairly assigned blame might be preferred unless deliberately using strong language.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal image is violent. Ensure non-native speakers understand it's a metaphor for betrayal through blame-shifting or sacrifice, not physical violence. The core elements are unfairness, selfishness, and disloyalty.
Examples
- When the boss asked who made the mistake, Mark threw Sarah under the bus even though they both worked on it.
- I felt completely thrown under the bus when my partner blamed the project's failure entirely on me.
- Politicians are sometimes accused of throwing their staff under the bus to deflect scandals.
Dialogue
Anna: I'm furious! Did you hear what happened in the client meeting?
Ben: No, what?
Anna: The client pointed out a typo in the final report. Before I could even speak, Tom jumped in and said, 'Oh, Anna must have missed that during her final proofread.' He totally threw me under the bus!
Ben: Wow! Especially since he wrote that section! That's incredibly low.
Anna: Tell me about it. I was speechless.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Worst feeling: working hard on a group presentation only to have your partner throw you under the bus when the professor asks a tough question. #groupworkfail #college
- LinkedIn Post (using cautious language): Building psychological safety on teams is crucial. People won't take risks or be honest if they fear being thrown under the bus when mistakes happen. #leadership #teamculture
- Reddit Comment: My boss threw me under the bus in front of HIS boss today. Claimed my report was late, even though he sat on it for a week. What should I do? #workplaceproblems #toxicboss
Response Patterns
- Shock/Disbelief: No way!, He actually did that?!, That's unbelievable!
- Sympathy/Agreement: That's terrible., What a scumbag/snake!, You didn't deserve that at all.
- Questioning/Seeking Details: What exactly happened?, Why would they do that?, What did the boss say?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone complains about being thrown under the bus:
- Asking for the full story: Tell me exactly what went down., How did the situation unfold?
- Offering sympathy and condemnation of the betrayer: That's completely unacceptable., Some people have zero loyalty., I'm so sorry that happened.
- Discussing potential responses or consequences: Are you going to say something?, What are you going to do now?, Has anyone else noticed?
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe or complain about a specific, negative act of betrayal.
Intonation
- Usually spoken with strong negative emotion: shock, anger, disgust, or bitterness.
- Heavy emphasis often falls on threw, the object pronoun (me, him, her), and bus.
- I can't believe he THREW ME under the BUS like that!
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and frequently used across recent generations (Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X). Generally understood by Boomers as well.
Regional Variations
- Very common in American English, and now widely used and understood in British, Canadian, Australian, and other Englishes.